"If the government of Azerbaijan did not consider it acceptable, it should refuse USAID's assistance"

After Assistant Secretary of State James O'Brien's speech on the future of Nagorno-Karabakh to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on November 15, we witnessed a controversial change in the relations between Azerbaijan and the United States. After the speech, pro-government media published a series of articles criticizing US policy, pointing to a potential strain in bilateral relations.

These articles, distributed through government-related media channels, were directed critically at independent media organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and members of civil society in Azerbaijan. These publications assume that these organizations receive funding and commission from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

What is the reason? Hasn't the government itself used the aid from these organizations? Why does the government media, which associates the names of independent NGOs and media organizations with these organizations and calls them "traitors", not talking about the aid provided by these organizations to the government of Azerbaijan?

Bashir Suleymanli, head of the Civil Rights Institute, answered ASTNA's questions.

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Question: For several days, a series of articles about a number of independent media organizations operating in Azerbaijan, as well as NGOs and active members of the civil society, have been published in media affiliated with the government. In those articles, it is hinted that the mentioned organizations and individuals are funded and commissioned by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Is there a basis for what is written?

Answer: This is not a new process. The attitude towards independent media and civil society in Azerbaijan has always been negative. In some periods, it may subside due to various geopolitical interests, but in general, it never leaves the agenda of the authorities. The posts usually resume when US-Azerbaijani relations deteriorate or when some international organization publishes a report. We have been witnessing this for many years. This is not a good thing. Interstate relations cannot be consubstantiated with some institutions.

USAID is the main financial institution of the United States. It has been operating in Azerbaijan for more than 30 years. Since 1991, 481 million dollars have been provided to Azerbaijan. The allocated funds were mostly spent on improving the situation in state institutions - health, education, economy, justice, etc. If the government of Azerbaijan did not consider the funding acceptable, it should refuse USAID assistance. Moreover, according to the intergovernmental agreement between Azerbaijan and the United States, aid from the United States is tax-free. That is, the government itself gives the green light to the arrival of US aid to Azerbaijan. A very small part of the aid is spent on civil society and the development of free media in the country. This is also understandable. US and European institutions are interested in having public control over finance. Claiming that there are any orders or tasks here can be due to ignorance.

Question: I wonder why these articles are being posted now.

Answer: I mentioned this before. The reason is due to the coldness in US-Azerbaijani relations. USAID head Samantha Power's open sympathy towards Armenians causes irritation in the Azerbaijani authorities. The government of Azerbaijan does not accept a one-sided attitude and believes that the activities and approach of Samantha Power are biased. In fact, I also think that those who are at the head of such institutions should protect their impartiality as much as possible. Special attention should be paid to such conflicts. Regional and geopolitical realities should be taken into account. Azerbaijan's geographical location and socio-political views should be reviewed. If not, the result fails.

On the other hand, the great war for the Caucasus, and the control of the great communication system inevitably throwm us into the middle of great games. We are becoming part of the global war without realizing it. In such hybrid wars, soft power or press suppression is usually used.

Question: What is the purpose of all this and what can it lead to?

Answer: As I mentioned, the goal is to control the region and communications. Which power controls the mega hubs will be an indicator of global power. The West has already managed to involve Armenia in the process. Only the main key state of the region, that is, Azerbaijan remains. The government of Azerbaijan prefers to keep the same distance from both sides. The authorities are not in favor of being too close to great powers. They believe that the result of this could be Ukraine. Because, look, Russian government representatives are accusing Armenia of following the path of Ukraine, and even threatening. In such a situation, the government of Azerbaijan is worried. And they prefer to show themselves as non-partisan, far from the West. But this is not a successful tactic either. Maybe ten years ago the calls were different. But now we are in the midst of actual major wars. Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine are houses of war. Although it seems that the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict is over, the embers continue. Additional firewood can be thrown into the stove from outside at any time. Furthermore, the Armenian lobby is frantically trying to oppress us at all levels. If all these are not taken into account, Azerbaijan may end up in an unjust situation when it is right.

Question: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is heavily criticized in those articles. Has USAID only provided support to the media and NGOs so far?

Answer: Of course not. The 481 million dollars that USAID has spent so far has been allocated to government agencies more than other directions. For example, in recent years, it financed various programs of TABIB. In addition, it made great contributions to the revival of the economy and the promotion of small entrepreneurship, as well as in the field of education. There is enough information about this on the website of USAID. A significant part of the allocated support is aimed at financing state programs.

Question: In the past, in 2013-2014 - before your arrest, there were a series of such articles in the media. These posts seemed to play the role of a raid announcement. But that period is over. Those people were released, compensated, and acquitted by the judgments of the European Court. Why doesn't the government stop using the same rhetoric?

Answer: It was almost the same process at that time. As they say, "the same wave, the same coordinate". In fact, the period did not end, it just changed its form. Acquittals and compensations were not universal. Only at that time, the devaluation of oil and the rapid melting of Azerbaijan's foreign exchange reserves made the government take a step back. As soon as they got stronger, they started to continue the process from where it left off. They tightened the laws. They restricted the activity. Persecutions increased, and now they apply to arrests.

Question: There were such opinions that after the resolution of the Karabakh problem, the government would go for reforms. Democratization would take the road. Is what is happening now consistent with the stated ideas?

Answer: These were just guesses. I don't think it's right to blame people for that. Since our people are in favor of peace and reconciliation, they were interested in forgetting past grievances and looking optimistically at the future. For this reason, many had the expectation that the situation in the country should improve after Karabakh, our biggest problem, was finally resolved. It is necessary to carry out deep reforms and develop the country quickly so that outside influences do not subjugate the country to their own interests. In particular, a modern infrastructure should be built in Karabakh, and social justice should be restored in the country. Stratification must be eliminated. But unfortunately, the government still continues its previous policy.

Question: What are your recommendations?

Answer: There is nothing left to recommend in the current situation. The government took the path of regression, not progress. The continuation of persecutions and arrests leads the country to darkness.